Early each December the Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap brings Christmas music to the streets of St John’s Wood and The Gap when they escort Santa and his sleigh on an early visit to the area.
For the first time Santa also extends to Ashgrove from mid December 2009.
Local residents look forward to the sleigh’s visit as evidenced by their generous donations to Santa’s helpers.
Children love the chance to talk to Santa with Christmas looming so large in their minds and many parents arrange street parties to coincide with the sleigh’s visit so that can happen.
It is the community support that makes the sleigh possible.
Eagers Holden supply the towing vehicle, while the trailer carrying the sleigh is loaned by a family in Ferny Grove.Safety jackets for Santa’s helpers are loaned by Queensland Rail.
Organiser, Mark Dawson, said the Santa Sleigh is a major club project involving between 15 and 20 people each night.
“The Rotary Club of Ashgrove/ The Gap was pleased to take over the organisation of the Santa Sleigh in 1996 and keep alive a tradition that was stared in 1978 by Apex,” he said.
“Monies raised are dedicated to local community charities,” Mark said.
The Santa Sleigh cruises the streets of The Gap for nine nights, 5th - 13th December and Ashgrove for four nights, 14th - 17th December.